When the Han River reaches Qiande County, it leaves the mountains and enters the flat Xiangyang Plain. Later generations built a dam not far from here, cutting off the Han River and forming the Danjiangkou Reservoir, which served as the starting point for the South-to-North Water Diversion.
However, the strategic location in this area is Junzhou.
Junzhou is not far from Qiande, less than two hundred miles. Here in Junzhou, a large valley is formed among the mountains. It is also moistened by the Han River and the land is particularly fertile. It has been an important land since ancient times. Because of this, after the Danjiangkou Reservoir was formed, this area was almost completely submerged.
Li Zhong failed to attack Jinzhou, so he moved down the Han River and quickly surrounded Junzhou. Wang Yan led 3,000 soldiers and horses to pursue him, but because he had few soldiers and horses, he did not dare to pursue him too close. Because Junzhou was not far from Wang Xiaolie's territory, and Wang Xiaolie had been promoted to the post of envoy of South Jingxi Road, he sent an envoy to ask for help.
After the artillery matured, Li Yanxian led the Chinese army to conduct drills in the Qiande County area, with many soldiers and horses. When Li Zhong came east, it was equivalent to hitting an iron plate. The two sides have had many small-scale conflicts, but there has been no major fight.
In late July, Wang Xiaolie and Wang Ruohai arrived in Qiande County with their headquarters. Li Yanxian welcomed him into the county government office and everyone took their seats.
Wang Xiaolie said: "Because Li Zhong surrounded Junzhou, Wang Yan asked me for help. You have been practicing in this area for some time, so you just take this opportunity to check the results. Li Zhong does not have many troops, and the Chinese army should be enough."
Li Yanxian said: "Commander Jie, Li Zhong already captured Junzhou three days ago. I'm afraid things will be a little more troublesome."
Wang Xiaolie couldn't help but frown after hearing this: "Junzhou is a prosperous place, so it is not a good thing to be attacked by Li Zhong. If he gets money and food, he is afraid that something will happen."
Li Yanxian said: "Our army is in Qiande County, and Wang Zhenfu is stationed in Yunxiang. For Li Zhong, Junzhou is the place of death!"
Wang Xiaolie sighed: "The Jin army is attacking Sichuan and Shu in a big way. Where can he find a foothold in Liangzhou and Yangzhou? The only way to survive is the three states of Jinjunfang. If you can't conquer Jinzhou, you will be in a dead end." . Now occupying Junzhou, we are just trying to survive from death."
After understanding the current situation, Wang Xiaolie said to Wang Ruohai: "Draw up a battle plan and set off in three days!"
Wang Ruohai promised.
Wang Xiaolie said: "It's been a hard journey, let's take a rest. Send someone to Yunxiang immediately and tell Wang Yan that I have arrived in Qiande County."
Li Yanxian promised, and everyone dispersed. Because they were in a hurry on the road, Wang Xiaolie and others went to their residence to rest.
In the evening, the Chinese army commander Yuan Gai and others arrived. Li Yanxian prepared a banquet to welcome Wang Xiaolie and his party.
Autumn is beginning to enter. As soon as the sun sets, the cool breeze rises, and it is no longer as hot as the previous days. Even the cicadas on the trees stopped chirping at night. A few bats were flying in the air, and the chirping of various insects became louder and louder, making it seem completely quiet.
In the backyard of the county government office, several lanterns were lit, and a large bonfire was lit next to it. A table was set up in the middle, with Wang Xiaolie, Li Yanxian, Wang Ruohai and others sitting around. After the soldiers were served with food and wine, they went aside. There was no one around the table.
This is Wang Xiaolie's habit. Whenever an official banquet is held, no one else is allowed to serve except food and wine. This was a habit Wang Xiaolie brought from his previous life, and it gradually became an official rule among his subordinates. Of course, even in the previous life, there were still waiters at more formal banquets, but Wang Xiaolie didn't like it. With a low status in his previous life, Wang Xiaolie was not used to having people serving around him.
In addition to Wang Xiaolie and Wang Ruohai, there were also personnel from the Chinese Army Headquarters attending the banquet today. Li Yanxian was in charge of the capital, Yuan Gai was in charge of Qian, Zhang Yin was in charge of deputy capital, Xu Changxing was the chief of staff, Lin Wei was the Marquis of Yu on the left, Tian Cheng was the Marquis of Yu on the right, and Zheng Tianguang was the secretary-general.
These people were originally scattered among the armies, but Wang Xiao arrived and hurried back.
After drinking for three rounds, Wang Xiaoxing said: "Summer has passed, autumn has come, and it is the troubled autumn. In the past two years, the Jin army has attacked Sichuan and Shu, and Liu Yu has also actively cooperated, so he should not have the strength to attack us. However, there is no big war, Xiao But the troubles will continue. Li Zhong was originally in Yangzhou. Because the Jin army marched south and the imperial army responded, he couldn't stay there, so he had to come east. These rogue bandits generally don't bring food and grass. If they can't attack Jinzhou for ten days, they can only move to Junzhou is coming. Junzhou is in the mountains, and the only way to go is along the Han River. Now Wang Yan is occupying Yunxiang and blocking Li Zhong's retreat. If we send troops, Junzhou will be a dead place. In my opinion, Fight quickly and don’t delay the army here!”
Li Yanxian said: "The army has been rehearsing and can send troops at any time! Everything will follow the commander's orders!"
Yuan Gai said: "We received the order from the Commander-in-Chief a few days ago and we began to gather the troops. It is expected that the forward troops will be able to send troops within three days."
Wang Xiaolie nodded: "This is the best. After dispatching the troops, my headquarters will be located on Tutai——"
Xu Changxing said: "It's not far from Junzhou. There is no need to go to the front line in person. We only need Gande County. We will lead the army to fight against Li Zhong. Li Zhong is just a ragtag group. It is not difficult to fight here." beat."
Wang Xiaolie said: "This time is not just to fight Li Zhong, but also to test your drill results. How can I not go to the front line in person? We also came from a small army, and we know people like Li Zhong fairly well. To be honest, , if we just eliminate Li Zhong, even Li Dutong does not need to go to the front line. It is enough to send a Yuhou with two or three commanders. Any more troops and horses will be a waste. Let’s look at the results of your drill this time , Killing a chicken with a sledgehammer! Your staff must plan carefully, calculate everything clearly, and resolve the battle in one battle!"
Xu Changxing hurriedly said yes.
Zhang Yindao: "The lower official will check the system and set up the official documents of the envoy. Leave the right army and the rear army to guard Qiande, and all other troops and horses will be sent out?"
Wang Xiaolie nodded: "Tian Cheng led the right and rear armies to guard Qiande, and all other commanders went out to fight. Not only the left, center, and right armies, but also several regiments of cavalry, artillery, engineers, and baggage troops, as well as Press them all up!"
Xu Changxing said: "After these few months of drills, we have discovered that it is not enough for our Chinese army to have only one baggage regiment. Fortunately, Junzhou is not far away, and two more regiments are left in Qiande, which is barely enough this time."
Wang Xiaolie said: "How far the baggage regiments in our army need to support the army will be discussed in detail later. Generally speaking, the division level is the battle level, and it is best not to exceed five hundred miles. The regiment level is even lower. Some, generally no more than two hundred miles. For longer distances, the superiors need to think of a solution before the war. We will discuss these matters in detail after your drill is over."
The division of armies, divisions, regiments, etc. is not only about the number of people and combat effectiveness, but also the important aspect is the combat range that they can support. Wang Xiaolie's plan for the division is generally as a campaign corps, but it can also be used as a strategic corps when necessary. There is of course a big difference in the operational scope between a campaign legion and a strategic legion. Most importantly, their baggage transport capabilities vary greatly.
Li Yanxian's Chinese army now has a baggage corps directly under its jurisdiction. In this exercise, one regiment was obviously not enough. If it only transports grain and grass, it is barely enough, but with artillery, it is not enough, and it is far behind. According to the estimates of the officers who participated in the drill, the baggage and troops would have to be doubled at least, which would only guarantee a combat distance of 300 miles, with the maximum limit being 500 miles. No matter how far you go, you will have to organize a special baggage force.
In addition to the army, the requisition of civilian power for transportation is not something that the commander-in-chief can decide.
